Posts: 7

Topic: Lifestyle Change for Those Surrounding Cholangiocarcinoma

Has anyone done a lifestyle change due to someone close to you having this? I have to admit I like my daily glass of wine (or 2). I don't smoke, am not overweight....but I still feel that I am going to get this because my dad has it.

Re: Lifestyle Change for Those Surrounding Cholangiocarcinoma

Hi Crissie,

I know how you are feeling right now and worrying like that is quite common. But, can I just say that there is no evidence that CC is hereditary. I know that it can be hard not to worry about stuff like this, but please do not worry that you are going to get this because your dad has. You have enough to worry about right now with your dad and you need to stay strong for him. Sounds to me as if you are leading a pretty healthy lifestyle, not being overweight and not smoking, that sounds good to me.

Hugs,

Gavin

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Re: Lifestyle Change for Those Surrounding Cholangiocarcinoma

Crissie....there are some risk factors for this disease. These include: Ulcerative Colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC,) certain parasitic liver diseases (Opisthorchis viverrini (found in Thailand, Laos, and Malaysia) or Clonorchis sinensis (found in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.) Additionally, patients with chronic liver disease such as viral hepatitis (e.g. hepatitis B or hepatitis C), alcoholic liver disease, or cirrhosis of the liver. There is some suggestion as to HIV infection and the connection to Cholangiocarcinoma. Also, congenital liver abnormalities, such as Caroli's syndrome or choledochal cysts as, the rare inherited disorders Lynch syndrome II and biliary papillomatosis may lead to the diagnoses of this disease. Intrahepatic stones (hepatolithiasis), which are rare in the West but common in parts of Asia, have been strongly associated with cholangiocarcinoma. Thorotrast, used 30 to 40 years ago in radiation also has been linked to the development of cholangiocarcinoma. The majority of patients diagnosed however; do not present with any known risk factors.A glass of wine sounds good to me too.Hug,Marion

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Re: Lifestyle Change for Those Surrounding Cholangiocarcinoma

Hi Marions,

Thank you for your message.

My mom had her surgery on Wed, Aug. 7th. She went into surgery at 7:20 am, and came out of recovery at 6:00 pm. The doctor said that the surgery was a difficult surgery because of her past surgery (her gullbladder was removed 15+ years ago), as the previous doctor did not do a good job (there was scar tissue). In addition, she had pancreatitis around the tumor and also they had to remove a large vein, and reconstruct it. She's doing well now, and has been walking daily with the nurse. We are all glad that the surgery is over (4 weeks waiting) and now we have to wait 2 more weeks for the pathology results.

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